Join our small group tour to Bulgaria in 2024 AMAwaterways Christmas Markets River Cruises Vidin is one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria and has played an important part in medieval Bulgarian politics due to its location along the Danube, as evident by the Baba Vida Fortress. This is the only fully preserved medieval fortress… Continue reading AmaWaterways Danube River Cruise – Bulgaria
Category: Travel
The Fall of Constantinople in 1453
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 was a major turning point in world history, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire’s ascendancy. Constantinople, which had been the capital of the Byzantine Empire for over a thousand years, was one of the most heavily fortified cities in the world, with walls that had withstood multiple sieges.
Cappadocia’s Fascinating Natural history
Exploring the geology of Cappadocia and the bird life of Sultan Saziligli marshes
Hoodoo and Cave Church Hiking in Cappadocia
The usual tourist circuit in Cappadocia triangulates Goreme, Avanos and Urgup, but just off this well beaten path there are beautiful, yet easy, day hikes and walks that let you explore the tufa formations and also enjoy vistas of this volcanic land of ‘fairy chimneys’. Gallery of Cappadocia hiking Here are the details from one… Continue reading Hoodoo and Cave Church Hiking in Cappadocia
Cappadocia – Troglodyte Caves and Fairy Chimneys
Cappadocia is a historical region located in central Turkey, known for its unique landscape with ancient rock formations, and underground cities.
Ruins of Ancient Architecture
Ancient Ruins Greek & Roman Ruins HierapolisEphesusNemrut Dag colossal headsRhodes, GreeceSantorini Akrotiri, GreeceAegean Coast of Turkey (Aphrodisias, etc) Aspendos theater is known for its remarkable acoustics and impressive architecture. The seating area is divided into three sections: Download royalty free images of Ancient History Buy prints, mugs, jigsaw puzzles & other products – Ancient History Ancient Near East… Continue reading Ruins of Ancient Architecture
SanliUrfa – Ancient Crossroads of History
Urfa and Harran are two ancient cities in southeastern Turkey that have a rich and storied history dating back thousands of years. Both cities have played important roles in the development of human civilization and have been centers of learning, culture, and religion for centuries. In 1984, the Turkish National Assembly granted Urfa the title “Şanlı”,… Continue reading SanliUrfa – Ancient Crossroads of History
Göbekli Tepe and Neolithic Malta and Sardinia
Göbekli Tepe is an archaeological site located about 10 miles from Urfa in southeastern Turkey. It’s intrigued scholars, historians, and the general public since its discovery in the 1960s. The name Göbeklitepe (both spellings are used) means “Potbelly Hill” in Turkish, and it refers to the distinctive shape of the hill on which the site… Continue reading Göbekli Tepe and Neolithic Malta and Sardinia
Back in the USSR – Part 2: Sweated & Feted – Bukhara & Samarkand
Jewels of the Silk Road: A Grand Tour of Uzbekistan Previously, on “Back in the USSR”: In 1984 I responded to an invitation from the Soviet Sports Committee to visit the Pamir, Central Asia & the Caucasus. We explored the steppes below Pik Lenin and helicoptered into Fortembek base camp for Pik Communizm. Now we… Continue reading Back in the USSR – Part 2: Sweated & Feted – Bukhara & Samarkand
Back in the USSR – Part 1 – Pik Lenin in the Pamir
In the late 70s – 80s there exchanges of climbers with the USSR. A group of US climbers went to the Pamir and a Soviet group visited the North Cascade in Washington. In 1984 I was chair of the Nordic Ski Committee of The Mountaineers climbing club based in Seattle. At a meeting of all chairs, we received an invitation from the Soviet Sports Committee to send a member on a 3 week tour of the Pamir, Central Asia & the Caucasus